Billy A. Watson and Kerby C. Oberg
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Cocaine
The complications of intrauterine growth restriction and limb defects,
among other deformations, linked to maternal cocaine use appear to be related
to vascular disruption. Cocaine may alter the availability and utilization of
calcium and reduce blood flow from the uterus to the placenta. It is
metabolized very slowly in the fetus due to low plasma cholinesterase activity.
Cocaine-exposed fetuses also have increased incidences of prematurity,
microcephaly, and sudden infant death (Gilbert-Barness, 2010).
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
Children born to mothers who used LSD before or during pregnancy have
exhibited a variety of congenital anomalies. Defects of the central nervous
system, eyes, and limbs (including arthogryposis) may be present (Gilbert-
Barness, 2010). It is not uncommon for LSD users to be using other drugs
simultaneously, which may compound the variety of anomalies observed.
Other Chemicals
Toluene Exposure
Toluene is an organic solvent used in gasoline and may be present in
laboratory settings. A strict permissible exposure limit (PEL) for toluene has
been set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
to regulate the handling of this teratogen. Toluene embryopathy includes
prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, microcephaly, anencephaly,
developmental delay, cardiac and limb defects, and craniofacial anomalies
similar to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) (Gilbert-Barness, 2010).
Other Environmental Factors
Mechanical Constraint of Development
Mechanical forces can also act as teratogens. Abnormalities
(deformations/malformations or disruptions) occurring as a result of
mechanical forces are usually due to restriction of fetal movements.
Malformations of the uterus, cervical lodgment of the embryo, and
oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid level) can produce similar phenotypes
such as club hand/foot. Amniotic bands, which are fibrous strands associated